Taking the release of Dune: Part Two as an opportunity, here's a guide to watching movies.

Dune: Part Two is one of the few "normal" Hollywood sci-fi films in recent years. Its release gives those who want to watch it but haven't yet a guide. This snippet contains no spoilers, so feel free to read on. This guide applies to most movies.

First, if you've read the Dune novels, don't expect much from the plot—go enjoy the artistry instead. The film is packed with meaningful shots worth appreciating. If you haven't read the Dune novels, it's recommended to watch Dune: Part One before this one, ideally on Bilibili with the bullet comments on. Not only will this add a touch of fun to this serious film (like certain amusing misheard lyrics), but it will also explain some details and background that the movie doesn't spell out, since the entire film builds on the first installment.

Second, if you want the full cinematic experience and have the budget, be sure to choose an IMAX theater. Dune: Part Two was shot 100% with IMAX cameras, so the entire film is uncropped and fills the whole screen! It won't be like The Wandering Earth 2, which wasn't shot with IMAX cameras and thus has top-and-bottom cropping when viewed in IMAX theaters. Also, thanks to the nature of IMAX theaters, even the seats vibrate during the viewing—the effect is intense, but it won't feel too noisy.

Finally, I don't really recommend watching the movie trailers, but feel free to go by your own preference. Although the few shots in the trailers pale in comparison to the full film, I used to watch trailers before seeing movies. Later, I found that during the movie, I'd be eagerly anticipating a certain scene, but when it finally appeared, it fell short of my expectations and left me disappointed. So I don't really recommend watching trailers. Some might say, "If I don't watch the trailer, isn't it like opening a blind box? How would I know if the film is any good?" Actually, this problem is easy to solve. Check the ratings, genre, and synopsis, and you'll get a rough idea of the film—whether it's your type, whether it's worth watching, and whether it's worth seeing in an IMAX theater.

Movies | IMAX